Device for trimming wall paper or the like



Aug. 14, 1956 w. LOWENS 2,758,650

DEVICE FOR TRIMMING WALL PAPER OR THE LIKE Filed Sept. 16, 1953 FIG. I

M M/ l u nnnnn INVENTOR.

1 4 wmmm Lowens.

ATTORNEY United States Patent DEVICE FOR TRIMMIN G WALL PAPER OR THE LIKE William Lowens, Mount Vernon, N. Y.

Application September 16, 1953, Serial No. 380,508

12 Claims. (Cl. 164-73) The present invention relates to a cutting device, and more particularly to a cutting device of the type that is used with and guided by a straight edge or rule, such as is used in the trimming of the edges of roll sheet material, such as wallpaper.

The present invention is especially directed to a cutting device of the character described which is used with a rule that is formed with a surface groove, part of which is provided with an overhang under which the cutting device is engaged.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device of the character described in which the cutting is effected by a straight-edge blade that is tiltable to face and cut in the direction towards which it is moved, either toward or away from the body of the user.

'It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting device of the character described in which the tilting of the cutting blade is easily and conveniently ef-' fected responsive to the natural change in the direction of force resulting from a change in direction of movement towards or away from the body.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a cutting device of the character described which may be firmly and steadily supported on the straight edge or rule during use against any sideways tilting thereof.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a cutting device of the character described having steadying means which are adjustable in height as well as in width whereby it may be utilized with straight edges having portions of various thickness and having guiding grooves of different widths.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide cutting devices of the character described that may be moved along the straight edge with maximum ease and facility.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide cutting devices of the character described which are, in general, highly efficient for its purpose, easy, convenient and safe to handle, and relatively economical to produce.

The foregoing and other advantages and superiorities of the roll paper cutting device of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the one embodiment shown thereof in the-accompanying drawing and from the description following. It is to be understood, however, that such embodiment is shown by way of illustration only, to make the principles and practice of the invention more readily comprehensible, and without any intent of limiting the invention to the specific details therein shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the cutting device shown as mounted for use upon a straight edge for which it is intended;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the device shown "ice in Fig. 1, in one tilted position as it is moved in the one direction indicated by the associated arrow;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 showing the device tilted in the position when moved in the opposed direction, as indicated by the associated arrow;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevational view of the cutting device of Fig. 1, partly broken away to show structural details;

Fig. 5 is an edge view of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through the steadying mechanism of the device; and

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 4.

Referring now to the accompanying illustrated drawing, the straight edge for which the cutting device of the present invention is intended may comprise an elongated metallic rod, 10, having the straight edge, 11, on one side, along which the cutting is effected; a longitudinally disposed groove or trough of rectangular cross section, 12, formed in its upper surface, part of which groove is provided with a longitudinally disposed overhang, 13, extending inwardly from the cutting side of the straight edge 10.

The cutting device, itself, comprises a carriage, generally designated as 15, comprising a horizontally disposed bar, 16, having formed integrally therewith or secured to one of its side edges the L-shaped bar, 18, the horizontal overhang, 19, of which underlies the bar 16 in spaced relation thereto to accommodate between it and the bar and to engage under the straight edge overhang 13.

Secured to the opposed side edge of the bar 16 as by screws, 20, or integrally formed therewith, are a pair of lugs 21, one at or adjacent each end of the bar 16. The lugs 21 may extend above the bar 16 and for a distance below it. The lower portion of the lugs 21 may serve to support one end of a pin or screw, 22, over which is mounted a roller, 23, part of which may fit into a recess, 24, formed in the underside of the bar 16, as more clearly shown in Fig. 7. For that purpose, the lower portion of the lug 21 may be provided with a tapped opening, 25, to receive the threaded end of the roller supporting pin 22.

The upper portions of the lugs 21 serve as supports for the tiltable mounting for a cutter blade. The mounting is of trapezoid arrangement and consists of a pair of arms, 27, which may preferably but not necessarily be of inverted L-shape and which are each pivoted by the end of one leg, as at 28, on the upper portion of a lug 21 with their other legs facing one another, and by the ends of such other legs, as at 29, to the ends, 30, of the cross piece of a T-shaped blade carrying bar, 31. It will be readily apparent that by this arrangement the tilting of the arms or their displacement in one direction will tilt the bottom of the bar in the same direction so as to present its bottom edge at an angle to the horizontal. It will also be apparent that the same general effect may be obtained even when the arms 27 are straight and are arranged to converge upwardly to their point of pivot 30 on the bar 31.

For greater strength and stability the arms 27 may be provided in duplicate at each end with the lugs 21 and the arm ends 30 interposed between them.

A combined shield and handle, 32, of approximate U-shape for comforable grasping and for the convenient operating of the device may be provided, such handle being supported on the bar 31 as by set screws, 33, passing through one side of such handle engaged in the bar 31. If necessary or if desired, a spacing bar may be interposed between the engaged side of the handle 32 and the blade-supporting bar 31.

In order to steady the cutting device as it is moved M along the straight edge, against tilting sideways, I provide a ll'anged follower wheel, 35, mounted on an axle or shaft, 36', which is set into one end of an arm or link, 37, the other end of which carries or is connected to a rod, 38,. which is mounted for lateral adjustment as well as for rotational adjustment upon the. bar 16, so. that the wheel 35 may be moved laterally to engage. the inner edge of any groove 12, whether wider or narrower, with the flange, 39, engaging against the inner wall of such groove, and also to adjust the height of the wheel 35 by rotational adjustment of the rod 38, to make it effective for use with straight edges in which the portions on the two sides of the groove 12. are of difierent thicknesses.

Any mounting for the rod 38 suitable for that purpose may be used; the illustrated mounting comprising. a block, 40, which is secured horizontally on. the upper surface of'the. bar 16 andis. provided with! an: opening, 41,. to receive. the rod 38, such bar being provided with a horizontal slot, 42, extending inwardly from one end face to the rod receiving opening 41,.v which gives or provides, normally,, a loose fit off the opening 41 around the rod 38, and. having a set screw, 43,-. passing through the upper portion of the block 40, above the slot 42, and engaged within the lower portionv thereof, for tightening or loosening the opening 41 around the rod. 38, as may be desired.

Any suitable cutting blade may be used with the device of the. present invention and may be secured thereto in. any suitable manner. Such. cutting blade may be. integral with the bar 31, or may be suitably and removably supported on its lower end in proper cutting position. In the illustrated embodiment I have shown the use of a double edge razor blade, 45, with conventional means at the lower end of the-bar 31 for reversibly supporting such razor blade. Such means include the threaded stud or screw, 46,. extending from one side of the bar 31 for receiving thereon the centrally slotted razor blade 45, and the guard plate, 47, both of which are held in place by the nut, 48; the guard plate 47 having openings formed therein with offset edge portions, 49, that pass through the slot of the razor blade and into corresponding openmgs formed in the blade supporting bar 31 to fix the blade in place in a conventional and well-known manner.

It may here be stated that the lugs 21 may, if desired, but need not necessarily, be extended downwardly to: serve asadditional steadying means for the cutting device.

This. completes the description of the cutting device of the present invention. It will be readily apparent that such cutting device is rapidin action because it cuts onthe movement oil the device in either direction, toward or away from the body, and is highly efficient, because:

the cutting iselfected by a straight-edged. blade that isheld at an angle to the cut material. It will also be apparent that the. cutting device of the present invention is easy and highly convenient to use because of the roller bearing movement provided for it and because the tilting of the blade is effected naturally and effortlessly in response to the normal change of position of the palm of the hand when effecting a change in movement towards and away from the body; and further, because of the steadying means provided on the device which eliminates any need for the fatiguing tensing of the hand which would: otherwise be required to prevent tilting from side to side.

It will be further apparent that numerous variations and modifications of the cutting device of the present in vention. may. be made by anyone skilled in the art, in accordance with the principles and practice of the invention hereinabove set forth, and without the use of any inventive ingenuity. I desire, therefore, to be protected for: any and all such modifications and variations that may be made within the spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims hereto appended.

What I claim is:

l. A cutting device of the character described; som

prising a bar having a substantially fiat underside adapted to be moved along the surface of a straight edge rule, spaced, upwardly'extending and converging links pivotally connected to said bar, and a cutter-blade supporting bar pivotally dependently supported on the upper ends of said links.

2. A cutting device of the charcter described, comprising a bar having a substantially flat underside adapted to be. moved along a flat surface, spaced, upwardly converging links pivotally mounted on said bar, a cutterblade supporting bar pivotally and dependently supported on the upper ends of said links, and handle means fixedly secured on said cutter-blade supporting bar,

3. A cutting device of the character described, comprising a bar havinga substantially flat underside adapted to be moved along a flat surface, upwardly extending links pivotally connected to said bar in spaced relation to one another, a cutter-blade supporting bar pivotally dependently supported from the upper ends of. said links, the distance between the pivots at the upper ends of the links being less. than the distance between the pivots at their lower. ends.

4. A cutting device of the character described, comprising a bar having, a substantially flat underside, roller bearings supported from said bar against the underside thereof in transverse relation thereto for movement along. a flat surtace, upwardly extending links pivotally connected to said bar in spaced relation to one another, a cutter-blade supporting. bar dependently pivotally connected. from. the upper ends. of said links, the distance between the pivots of the links on said cutter-blade sup:- porting bars being. less than the distance between. the pivots of the. links at their lower ends.

5. A cutting device of the character described, comprising arr elongated bar having bearings supported on its; underside for movement along a surface, a pair of upwardly converging links pivotally connected to said bar: by their lower endsin spaced relation to one another, a. cutter-blade supporting bar pivotally dependently supported between said links at their upper ends, and a U-shapedhandle fixed on said cutter-blade supporting bar with its sides overhanging at least a portion of said blade supporting, bar.

6. A cutting devicev of the character described, for use with a rule having a straight edge and having a groove of. substantially rectangular cross-section formed in its upper surface, parallel to said straight edge and having. a portion overhanging a part of said groove nearest said; straight edge, comprising a bar adapted to be moved. over the surface of said rule between said straight edge. and said groove, said bar having an L-shaped extension along. one edge thereof arranged to have one of its legs engageable under said overhanging portion, spaced, upwardly extending lugs extending from said bar along the other edge thereof, a link pivotally connected by its lower end. to each of said lugs, a cutter-blade supporting bar pivotally and dependently supported between said links from their upper ends, the distance betweenthe pivots of said links on said bar being less than the distance between the pivots of said links on said lugs.

7. A cutting device of the character described, for use with a rule having a. straight edge and having a groove of substantially rectangular cross section formed in its upper surface parallel tosaid straight edge and having a flange overhanging a part of said groove nearest said! straight edge, comprising a bar adapted to be moved over the surface of said. rule between said straight edge and said groove, said bar having an L-shapedextension along one edge thereof arranged to have one of its legs engageable under said flange, spaced, upwardly extending lugs on said bar along the other edge thereof, a link pivotallyconnected at its lower end to each of said lugs, a cutterblade' supporting bar pivotally and dependently supported. between said links from their upper ends, the distance between the points of pivot of said links on said cutter blade supporting bar being less than the distance between the points of pivot of said links on said lugs, a flanged wheel adapted to engage the corner of said groove furthest from said straight edge, and means mounting said wheel on said bar for lateral and vertical adjustment relative thereto.

8. The cutting device of claim 7, including a substantially U-shaped handle member fixedly secured on said cutter blade supporting bar with its sides overhanging said cutter blade supporting 'bar.

9. The cutting device of claim 7, wherein spaced roller bearings are supported on said bar at the underside thereof in transverse relation thereto for facilitating its movement over said rule.

10. The cutting device of claim 7, wherein said bar is formed with transverse grooves opposite said lugs in the underside thereof and said lugs extend opposite said grooves, and wherein pins are supported between each of said lugs and the opposed portion of said L-shaped extension below said grooves, and a roller bearing is mounted over each of said pins.

11. The cutting device of claim 7, wherein each of said links is L-shaped and is connected with its horizontal leg in uppermost position and secured to said cutter-blade supporting bar.

12. The cutting device of claim 7, wherein a pair of; similar links support. said cutter-blade supporting bar, one pivoted on each side of each of said lugs and on each side of said last named bar at each of its upper corners.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,099,784 Wieslander Nov. 23, 1937 2,233,497 Teigen Mar. 4, 1941 2,633,196 Taran Mar. 31, 1953 2,672,933 Bridy Mar. 23, 1954 

